Dialogue

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Vocabulary

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Lesson Notes

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Lesson Transcript

Welcome to Can Do German by GermanPod101.com.
In this lesson, you’ll learn how to use essential social expressions in German.
For example, "Excuse me" is
Entschuldigung.
Anouk Ahrens is on the train. A fellow passenger drops his wallet as he exits the train. Anouk picks up the wallet and chases after the man.
Before you listen to the dialogue, let's preview some of its key components.
Entschuldigung.
"Excuse me." or "sorry" depending on the context
Entschuldigung.
Entschuldigung.
Bitte.
"You're welcome."
Bitte.
Bitte.
Danke.
"Thank you."
Danke.
Danke.
Entschuldigung.
"I'm sorry."
Entschuldigung.
Entschuldigung.
Kein Problem.
"No problem."
Kein Problem.
Kein Problem.
Listen to the following three short dialogues between Anouk and the man.
Anouk is chasing the man on the platform with the wallet in her hand.
Entschuldigung.
Ja?
Anouk hands the man the wallet.
Danke.
Bitte.
Anouk turns to board the train, but the doors shut.
Entschuldigung...
Kein Problem.
Once more with the English translation.
Anouk is chasing the man on the platform with the wallet in her hand.
Entschuldigung.
"Excuse me."
Ja?
"Yes?"
Anouk hands the man the wallet.
Danke.
"Thank you."
Bitte.
"You're welcome."
Anouk turns to board the train, but the doors shut. The man apologizes.
Entschuldigung...
"I'm sorry…"
Kein Problem.
"No problem."
Let's break down each of these expressions.
First, do you remember how Anouk Ahrens says,
"Excuse me."
Entschuldigung.
In this context, Entschuldigung is used to get someone's attention, and translates as "Excuse me." Entschuldigung.
Entschuldigung.
This is a formal expression. Anouk uses it because she’s speaking with someone she doesn’t know.
Note: This expression can also be used as a mild apology, but here Anouk uses it to get the attention of the person she’s chasing after.
Do you remember how the passenger acknowledges Anouk by saying,
"Yes?"
Ja?
Ja? "Yes?" Ja?.
Ja?
The second part of the conversation takes place after Anouk returns the passenger’s wallet.
Do you remember how the passenger says,
"Thank you."
Danke.
Danke. "Thank you." Danke.
Danke.
To add more emphasis to your appreciation, you could say, Vielen Dank, literally, "many thanks," but translates as "thanks a lot." Vielen Dank. This is an idiomatic expression used throughout all of Germany.
Do you remember how Anouk says,
"You’re welcome."
Bitte.
"You're welcome."
Bitte. Bitte.
Bitte literally means "please."
"You’re welcome" is one of the most common translations, but this is a versatile phrase that can be used in multiple situations with many translations. So you will come into contact with it a lot.
After the train doors shut and Anouk misses her train, do you remember how the passenger apologies to Anouk by saying,
"I’m sorry…"
Entschuldigung...
In this context, Entschuldigung..., means "I’m sorry…"
Entschuldigung...
The passenger feels responsible for Anouk missing her train and is apologizing.
The meaning of Entschuldigung depends on context.
Do you remember how Anouk replies,
"No Problem."
Kein Problem.
This starts with Kein, which means "no." Kein. Kein.
Next is Problem, "problem." Problem. Problem.
All together, kein Problem. "No problem."
Kein Problem
This is a common phrase used to express that things are alright.
Entschuldigung is a universal form which can be used in both formal and informal situations.
In informal situations, you may hear your peers saying entschuldige, and for formal situations Entschuldigen Sie.
Another equally common expression for apologizing is tut mir leid. Literally it means "does me sorrow," but translates as "I'm sorry." Tut mir leid.
Let’s look at the expressions once more. Listen and repeat, or speak along.
Entschuldigung.
"Excuse me."
Entschuldigung.
Ja?
"Yes?"
Ja?
Danke.
"Thank you."
Danke.
Bitte.
"You're welcome."
Bitte.
Entschuldigung…
"I'm sorry..."
Entschuldigung…
Kein Problem.
"No problem."
Kein Problem.
Let's review.
Respond to the prompts by speaking aloud. Then repeat after the native speaker, focusing on pronunciation.
Ready?
Do you remember the formal way to say,
"Excuse me."
Entschuldigung.
Entschuldigung.
And how to say, "yes?"
Ja?
Ja?
Do you remember how to say
"Thank you."
Danke.
Danke.
And how to say
"You’re welcome."
Bitte.
Bitte.
Do you remember how to say,
"I'm sorry..."
Entschuldigung...
Entschuldigung...
Do you remember how to say,
"No Problem."
Kein Problem.
Kein Problem.
Let's practice.
Imagine you’re Aylin Ahrens , and you receive a popular German candy from your German teacher.
Say, "Thank you."
Ready?
Danke.
Bitte.
Listen again and repeat.
Danke.
Danke.
Let’s try another.
Imagine you’re Arnold Ahrens , and a passenger bumps into you.
Respond by saying, "No Problem."
Ready?
Entschuldigung.
Kein Problem.
Listen again and repeat.
Kein Problem.
Kein Problem.
Let’s try one more.
Imagine you’re Arnold Ahrens and you see a man drop his wallet.
Get his attention.
Ready?
Entschuldigung.
Ja?
Listen again and repeat.
Entschuldigung.
Entschuldigung.
Well done! This is the end of the lesson and the Can Use Essential Social Expressions unit of this course.
Remember, these Can Do lessons are about learning practical language skills.
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Show us what you can do.
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You can take it again and again, so try anytime you like.
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Keep practicing — and move on to the next lesson!

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